Why Zazie Beetz Wears Her Natural Hair While Playing Domino In Deadpool 2

The Domino of Deadpool 2 will look very different from the Domino in the comics. Ever since the casting process began for the (soon-to-be) blockbuster sequel, we've known that the production was open to casting an actress who didn't fit the look of the character from the printed page. Traditionally, Domino appears as a straight-haired, light-skinned woman, who, while possibly not actually Caucasian, can certainly pass for that if she so chooses. Deadpool 2 was rumored to have looked at a variety of actresses for the part, including Kerry Washington, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Janelle Monae, so, when Atlanta's Zazie Beetz won the role, it was hardly a shock. But, we never really had a hint that the movie would let Beetz show off her voluminous Afro in the film, and she's said that the decision to let her curly locks fly was actually not a difficult one:

It's always a conversation. First and foremost I have to honor the character and the story. Not every character I play would want my hair, be confident to wear it, or is just a different person, for me that comes first. But it has been very interesting, the time that I've stepped into this industry has been a time of great social transition in terms of what is accepted, what isn't accepted. I think having my hair look like this in this movie is kind of a huge statement that didn't even come from me. That came from production, Ryan (Reynolds) and Dave (Leitch) the director, that they wanted that for Domino and I really, really respected that so much and was so excited to do that with them.

While Zazie Beetz clearly understood that not every role would fit her fluffy hairstyle, she noted that star/co-writer Ryan Reynolds and director David Leitch were both eager to have their version of Domino share her style. And, as Beetz also noted in her words to Independent, her short time in the industry has proven to be one of change with regards to how characters can look on screen and what's accepted for them. So, it's a bit of a statement to have the Domino of Deadpool 2 show up with a large Afro, especially since the character looks so different in the comics.

Afros like the one Zazie Beetz sports as Domino, were, for a long time, considered rather radical as a style choice, and you'd be hard pressed to find an office worker with one, much less a movie or TV character who wasn't supposed to be, well, a political radical. So, kudos to the team behind Deadpool 2 for embracing all that Beetz could bring to the role.

You can finally watch Zazie Beetz as Domino in Deadpool 2 for yourself when the film opens on May 18. For more of what you can watch on the big screen in the coming months, check out our 2018 movie release schedule.